Icemaking apparatus

ABSTRACT

AN ICEMAKING APPARATUS COMPRISING AN INVERTED ICE FORMING MOLDS, A REFRIGERATION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN EVAPORATOR AND A CONDENSER COMPRISING A TANK CONTAINING THAWING WATER IN HEAT TRANSFER RELATION WITH THE HOT GASEOUS REFRIGERANT LINE OF THE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM? A THAWING WATER RETAINING COMPARTMENT ADJACENT THE MOLD AND ADAPTED TO CONTAIN WATER IN HEAT TRANSFER RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE EVAPORATOR? A WATER RESERVOIR DISPOSED BELOW THE FORM, SPRAYING MEANS FOR DIRECTING WATER WITHIN THE RESERVOIR TOWARD THE FORM, A WATER INLET AND A WATER OUTLET AND FLUID CIRCUIT MEANS COMMUNICATING THE INLET WITH THE TANK AND THE OUTLET WITH THE RESERVOIR, A   PUMP FOR PUMPING WATER FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE FLUID SPRAYING MEANS AND A MOTOR FOR DRIVING THE PUMP, THE ABOVE SYSTEM BEING ADAPTED TO USE A QUANTITY OF WATER AS A COOLING MEDIUM FOR THE CONDENSER DURING THE FREEZING CYCLE, WHEREIN SUCH WATER IS HEATED A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT, THEREAFTER USING THAT HEATED WATER TO RELEASE THE ICE FROM THE ICE FORM, AND FINALLY USE THE SAME WATER TO MAKE-UP THE ICE DURING THE NEXT SUCCESSIVE FREEZING CYCLE.

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,a+ m WM a United States Patent O 3,559,424 ICEMAKING APPARATUS MarcusL. Nelson, Albert Lea, Minn., assignor to King- Seeley Thermos Co., AnnArbor, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Original application Sept. 12,1967, Ser. No. 667,117, now Patent No. 3,465,537, dated Sept. 9, 1969.Divided and this application Apr. 1, 1969, Ser. No. 812,103

, Int. Cl. F2Sc 1/04 r U.S. Cl. 62-347 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An icemaking apparatus comprising an inverted ice formingmold; a refrigeration system including an evaporator and a condensercomprising a tank containing thawing water in heat transfer relationwith the hot gaseous refrigerant line of the refrigeration system; athawing water retaining compartment adjacent the mold and adapted tocontain water in heat transfer relation with respect to the evaporator;a water reservoir disposed below the form; spraying means for directingwater within the reservoir toward the form; a water inlet and a wateroutlet and fluid circuit means communicating the inlet with the tank andthe outlet with the reservoir; a pump for pumping water from thereservior to the uid spraying means and a motor for driving the pump;the above system being adapted to use a quantity of water as a coolingmedium for the condenser during the freezing cycle, wherein suchwater'is heated a predetermined amount, thereafter using that heatedwater to release the ice from the ice form, and iinally use the samewater to make-up the ice during the next successive freezing cycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 4This is a divisional application of theUnited States Letters Patent application, Ser. No. 667,117 liled Sept.12,

1967, for Ice Making Apparatus, now Pat. No. 7,465,537,

verted ice cube molds or forms adapted to have water sprayed therewithinby means of a water spraying device located below the forms. Surroundingthe ice cube forms is awarm Water basin or platen which is adapted to belled with thawing water after the freezing portion of the cycle has`been completed, whereupon thel ice cubes which were formed within themolds will drop therefrom into a chute or storage bin during asubsequent, harvest portion of the operational cycle. After the icecubes have thus been formed and released, the thawing water istransferred to a sump tank to be used for supplying water to thespraying device during the next freezing portion of the cycle. Thecondenser comprises a tank filled |with water in heat transfer relationwith the hot refrigerant line of the refrigeration system. During thefreezing cycle thiswater serves as the primary cooling medium for thecondenser and is thereby warmed. At' the conclusion of the freezingcycle water from this tank is delivered to the basin or platen andServes as the thawing medium during the harvest cycle.A During.

3,559,424 Patented Feb. 2, 1971 lCC improvement over the aforesaidapparatus. In particular, the icemaking apparatus of the presentinvention incorporates a novel arrangement of component parts whereinthe water not used in making cubes during one freezing cycle isautomatically carried away from a water reservoir by means of anoverflow arrangement, thereby obviating the need for any complicatedvalve mechanisms and valve actuating devices. The overflow arrangementis achieved through the provision of a pair of unobstructed fluidpassageways, the first of which is adapted to communicate thawing Waterfrom an ice platen into a water reservoir, and the second of whichcommunicates the reservoir with a water outlet or drain. The passagewaysare designed and arranged such that a preselected quantity of water isautomatically retained within the reservior, also without the use of anyvalves or valve actuating mechanisms.

SUMMARY O-F THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to ice makingapparatus and, more particularly, to a new and improved apparatus forforming ice cubes by means of spraying water into a plurality ofinverted molds, wherein the same water that is used for making the cubesis used as a condensing medium and means for releasing the cubes fromthe ice forming molds.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide anew and improved icemaking apparatus.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide anicemaking apparatus which utilizes the same Water as a condensingmedium, as a means for releasing the cubes from their associated formingmolds, and for the water used in making the cubes.

yIt is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved ice making apparatus of the above character which obviates theneed for any drain valves or the like for releasing water not used informing the cubes during the freezing portion of the operational cycle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ice makingapparatus of the above described character which includes a waterreservoir and means for automatically controlling the water level withinthe reservoir such that there is suicient water therein to make up abatch of ice cubes during the next successive freezing cycle.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved ice making apparatus which utilizes a novel control orifice forcontinually discharging thawing water from a thawing water platen to awater reservoir.

-Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS lFIG. l is a side elevational view,partially broken away, of an icemaking apparatus in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated inFIG. l, as seen in the direction of the arrow 2 thereof; l

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section takensubstantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view takensubstantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of theapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, as seen in the direction of the arrow 5thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along the line 6 6 ofFIG. 1, and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,anice making apparatus 10, in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, is shown as comprising an exterior enclosure orcabinet, generally designated 12, that is preferably provided withinsulation 14 along the exterior walls thereof and includes a lowercompartment 16 and an upper compartment 18. Generally speaking, thelower compartment 16 contains a refrigeration system consisting, exceptas hereinafter stated, of substantially conventional elements, and theupper compartment 18 comprises means for producing a supply of ice incubed form, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

As best seen in FIGS. l, 6 and 7, the refrigeration system incorporatedin the cemaking apparatus of the present invention comprises a usualcompressor 20 that is supported by means of suitable support brackets orthe like 22 that are rigidly secured to the lower end of the cabinet 12by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 24. The compressor 20 isprovided with an inlet conduit 26 and an outlet conduit 28, the latterof which leads to a condenser, generally designated 30. Condensercomprises a closed tank 34, which houses a pair of interleaved helicallyformed coils 32 and 33 which are soldered or otherwise bonded to eachother in continuous surface engagement throughout their lengths so as toprovide for eficient heat transfer therebetween. The inlet of coil 32 isdirectly and continuously connected to the high pressure line 28 leadingfrom the compressor. The outlet 94 of coil 32 leads to the evaporator,as described below. Tank 34 contains a body of water which, during onefreezing cycle, serves as a primary cooling medium for the condenser;during the next harvest cycle serves as thawing water for the ice cubes;and provides the makeup water for the next freezing cycle.

A water inlet line 36 which is adapted to be connected with a suitablesource of fresh potable water leads through a T-connection 46 and asolenoid valve mechanism, generally designated 38, to the inlet 40 oftank 34. Valve 38 is mounted on the top of the tank 34 by a suitablefitting 42. The valve mechanism 38 may -be of any conventionalconstruction adapted to be actuated in response to an electrical signalcommunicated thereto by means of suitable electrical conductors,generally designated 43, wherelby the valve mechanism 38 willselectively communicate water flowing through the water inlet conduit 36to the standpipe 40, with the result that such Iwater will flow into thetank 34. The water outlet conduit 96 extends upwardly from the lowercompartment 16 to the icemakiug mechanism located in the uppercompartment 18, as Iwill hereinafter be described.

As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the T-tting 46 functions to connect oneend of an auxiliary water conduit 48 to the supply conduit 36. Theopposite end of the conduit 48 is connected to a usual pressureresponsive modulating type valve mechanism, generally designated by thenumeral 50, the sensing chamber whereof is also connected by means of asuitable pressure line 52 and T-fitting 54 with the outlet conduit 28 ofthe compressor 520. Thus, valve mechanism responds to the refrigerantpressure within the conduit 28 of the compressor 20. Increases in thispressure above a predetermined minimum causes valve 50 toproportionately and progressively move from the closed position towardthe open position and decreases below a predetermined maximum, cause aprogressive and proportional movement toward the closed position. Whenthe valve mechanism 50 is fully or partially open, the auxiliary waterconduit 48 is connected to another auxiliary conduit 56 which opens intothe previously mentioned second coil 33 in the condenser 30. The outlet44 of the coil 33 may lead directly to drain. Thus, in accordance withone feature of the present invention, the water iu tank 34 constitutesthe primary cooling medium for condenser 30, but additional coolingeffect is produced by a progressively controlled flow of Iwater throughthe auxiliary coil 33. In the event the internal pressure of therefrigerant in the compressor 20 exceeds a predetermined level thisminimizes the water consumed by the apparatus 10.

Referring now to the contents of the upper compartment 18 of the cabinet12, as best seen in FIGS. 1 through 3, the upper compartment 18 isprovided with a generally vertically extending ice conveying chute 60which defines a horizontally disposed shoulder or ledge 62 around theupper end thereof. Fixedly mounted on the shoulder 62 is a generallyrectangular shaped 'water containing vessel or platen, generallydesignated 64, which comprises a bottom wall section 66 and fourvertically extending wall sections 68. As shown in FIG. 3, the sections66 and 68 of the platen 64 define a central cavity 70 within which ausual refrigeration coil or evaporator 72 is located, the evaporator 72comprising inlet and outlet lines 74 and 76, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The platen 64 is preferably fabricated of a molded rubber material orthe like and is formed with a plurality of symmetrically orientedopenings, generally designated 78, in the lower end thereof, whichopenings 78 are defined by upwardly extending tapered ange portions 80integrally formed on the upper side of the bottom 'wall section 66. Theflange sections 80 define radially outwardly extending annular groovesor recesses 82 which are adapted to removably receive radially outwardlyextending shoulder portions 84 formed around the lower ends of aplurality of circular ice-forming molds or cups 86, as seen in FIG. 3.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the platen64 is formed with an overflow passage 88 which is elevated above thebottom wall section 66 and is adapted to automatically communicate waterout of the cavity 70 in the event the level or upper surface thereofrises above a position indicated by the line in FIG. 3. The passage 88is disposed above a water reservoir, hereinafter to be described, and isadapted to communicate water within the cavity 70 downwardly to thereservoir, whereby this -water may thereafter be utilized in forming iceduring the ice making portion of the operational cycle of the apparatus10, as will be described.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the platen 64 isprovided with a discharge orifice or passage 92 that is formed in thebottom wall section 66 at a position overlying the aforesaid waterreservoir. In operation of the ice making apparatus 10, the orifice 92is adapted to release or dribble water contained within the cavity 70 ofthe platen 64 to the reservoir. The size of the orifice 92 is carefullyselected so that the rate of transfer of water from the platen 64 to thewater reservoir is such that during the subsequent freezing cycle of theapparatus 10, there will be sufficient water in the reservoir to formthe ice cubes within the cups 86. It will be noted that in practice, thefreezing cycle may, if desired, be initiated somewhat prior to all ofthe water being communicated from the cavity 70 to the water reservoirvia the orifice 92, provided, of course, that a suicient quantity ofwater is providedin the reservoir to supply the pumping means forpumping the water toward the cups 86, as will be apparent.

A particular feature of the above described construction resides in thefact that the dribbler orifice 92 provides an unobstructed fluid passagefrom the cavity 70 to the reservoir and controls the rate of transfer ofsuch water without the use of any complicated valving devices or valveactuating mechanisms. That is, Water will flow automatically to thereservoir via the orifice 92 without the need for any mechanicallinkages and the like usually required for opening and closing fluidvalves. Another feature will be seen from the fact that there is no needto provide the platen 64 with a special drain connection since any watertransmitted to the cavity 70 in excess of the water level indicated bythe reference numeral 90 will be automatically communicated via thepassage 88 to the reservoir which is provided with its own drainarrangement later to be described. Accordingly, only a simple draincircuit need Ibe provided in the apparatus of the present invention.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, the inlet and outlet lines 74 and76 of the evaporator 72 are connected with the high and low pressurerefrigerant conduits 94 and 96, respectively, which extend upwardly fromthe lower compartment 16 to the upper compartment 18, whereby tocomplete a usual circuit between the condenser 30, compressor 20 andevaporator 72, it being understood that the connection between lines 94and 74 includes a usual pressure reducing device such as a capillarytube or expansion valve (not shown). Thus, it will be seen that gaseousrefrigerant at relatively high pressure supplied by compressor 20 tocondenser 30 is cooled and liquied as it passes through condenser 30.The thus cooled and liquied refrigerant flows from the condenser 30*upwardly through the conduit 94 and the pressure reducing device (notshown) to the inlet line 74 of the evaporator, wherein it is vaporizedby the transfer of heat thereto from the water `being formed into cubes.The gaseous refrigerant ilows from the evaporator through the outletline 76, which is jointed to the inlet or suction side of thecompressor. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper end of the conduit 94communicating refrigerant to the evaporator 72 may be provided Withsuitable insulation means 95. The previously mentioned outlet conduit 96from tank 34 leads directly into the cavity 70 of the platen 64 anddelivers water thereto during the harvest portion of the operationalcycle, as will hereinafter be described.

The lower end of the ice chute 60 is formed with a converging wallportion 98 which defines a recessed shoulder portion 100 and terminatesat the lower end thereof in a generally vertically extending wallsection 102 of a water reservoir, generally designated 104. Thereservoir 104 is also dened by upwardly extending wall sections 106 and108. The lower end of the chute 60 and the upper end of the reservoir104 are separated by a suitable downwardly inclined screen, or the like,110 which is adapted to allow Water to drop downwardly from the lowerside of the platen 64 into the reservoir 104 vbut prevents any ice cubeswhich are produced during operation of the apparatus 10 from fallinginto the reservoir 104. The ice cubes which are produced by theapparatus 10 pass down the chute 60 and along screen 110 and throughdoor 112 to a suitable storage bin or ice cube reservoir (not shown)located within the cabinet 12. Door 112 is hingedly or pivotally mountedat 114 to the chute 60. The force of cubes falling against the innerside of the door 112 will effect opening thereof, whereby the cubes willdrop downwardly into the aforementioned ice cube storage bin orreservoir.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, means for spraying water into theplurality of inverted cups 86 mounted on the platen 64 is provided by agenerally U-shaped water supply conduit 116 having upwardly extendingsections 118 and 120 which project through suitable sealed openingsportion of the reservoir 104 by means of a suitable water conduit 140,while the outlet section 138 of the pump housing 134 is communicablewith the lower end of the water supply conduit 116 through a suitableconduit 142. The pump unit 132 includes a suitable irnpeller 144 whichis drivingly connected through a suitable vertically extending driveshaft 146 with a suitable electric pump motor, generally designated 148,mounted directly above the pump unit 132. The shaft 146 extends througha generally vertically disposed shaft housing 150, the interior of whichis communicable through a suitable conduit 152 with the interior of thereservoir 104. The conduit 152 is located below the motor 148 and isthereby adapted to function in communicating any water which may tend torise along the drive shaft 146 during operation of the pumping assembly130 back to the reservoir 104, thereby obviating the necessity ofproviding any packing, seals or the like around the upper end of theshaft 146 to prevent water from being transmitted to the pump motor 148.

In accordance with another principle of the present invention, thereservoir 104 is provided with an overow conduit 154 which, as best seenin FIG. l, is communicable at one end with one side wall of thereservoir 104 and at the opposite end to a suitable water outlet ordrain. The overow conduit 154 is positioned relative to the reservoir104 such that it is adapted to automatically maintain a predeterminedvolume of water within the reservoir 104, the particular volume of waterbeing approximately equal to that which is required to make up the nextbatch of ice cubes during the subsequent operational cycle, Thus, theconduit 154 automatically controls the water level within the reservoir104 so as to assure there is a suicient quantity of water therein toform the next batch of ice cubes, and any water transmitted to thereservoir 104 in excess of the required amount will be automaticallycommunicated to the water outlet Without requiring any drain valves orsimilar complex and expensive devices to be opened and closed atpredetermined times during the operational cycle. It will be seen thatthe conduit 154 acts as a drain means for the reservoir 104, and alsofor the cavity 70 via the reservoir 104, overflow passage 88 and oriiice92. Thus, only a single drain is required for both the reservoir 104 andcavity 70, with such drain means also functioning to maintain suiiicientwater within the reservoir 104 for the next ice batch, therebysimplifying the water conveying circuit of the apparatus 10 to aminimum.

In operation of the ice making apparatus 10 of the present invention,assuming the initial conditions that the plurality of inverted iceforming molds 86 are empty, that the tank 34 and reservoir 104 arelilled with water, that the valve mechanism 38 is closed and that thewater inlet line 36 is connected to a suitable source of water, thefreezing cycle of the apparatus 10 is initiated by starting operation ofthe compressor 20, for example, by means of energizing in any usualmanual or automatic (such as a bin control) manner a suitable controlsystem which is representatively shown in FIGS, l and 6 and generally122 and 124, respectively, in the recessed portion 100 of the inclinedwall section 98. The upper ends of the conduit sections 118 and 120 areprovided by suitable spray nozzles or the like, 126 and 128,respectively, which are located centrally of the platen 64, whereby rthenozzles 126, 128 are adapted to concomitantly spray water updesignatedby the numeral 158. As the compressor 20 is started, refrigerant will beforced through the conduit 28 to the condenser 30, and thereafterthrough the condenser 30 and the conduit 94 and the pressure reducingdevice (not shown) to the evaporator 72. The refrigerant will thereafterflow through and be vaporized within the evaporator 72 and then bereturned to the compressor 20 through the outlet line 76 and compressorinlet conduit 26. Simultaneously, the pump motor 148 will be energizedby means of the aforementioned control system 158 which is operativelyconnected to the motor 148 by means of suitable electrical conductors160, whereby water within the reservoir 104 will be pumped to the watersupply conduit 116 and thereafter be sprayed upwardly through thenozzles 126, 128 into the inverted cups 86 supported on the lower sideof the platen 64.

As a result of the water being sprayed into the cups @Lawaaiy 86, icecubes will begin to form therewithin, with any excess water droppingdownwardly through the chute 60 into the reservoir 104. During thistime, the water within the tank 34 functions to cool the condenser 30,whereby to condense the hot gaseous refrigerant into a liquid, with theresult that the water within the tank 34 simultaneously becomes heatedpreparatory to the harvest portion of the operational cycle. In theevent that and if at any time during the freezing cycle the pressure inthe line 28 exceeds a predetermined value, indicating a need for morecooling of the condenser than is being accomplished by the water in tank94, the pressure responsive valve mechanism 50 will be partially orfully opened to allow a corresponding quantity of water to circulatethrough the auxiliary water coil 33, which water will thereby fiow inintimate heat transfer relation with respect to the refrigerant coil 32of the condenser 30, resulting in a prompt reduction of the refrigerantpressure to within acceptable limits. The water thus transmitted throughcoil 33 `will be communicated to the drain, as above described.

When ice cubes have been formed within the cups 86, after a time whichmay be controlled by any suitable temperature-sensitive or timingdevice, the freezing portion of the cycle will be completed and theharvest portion of the cycle will begin. During the harvest portion, thevalve mechanism 38 will be opened, with the result that fresh potablewater will ow into the tank 34, which incoming water will force thewater within the tank 34 that was heated during the freezing portion ofthe cycle, upwardly through the water outlet conduit 96 whichcornmunicates this warm water into the cavity 70 defined by the platen64. Any excess water conveyed to the cavity 70 will be discharged to thereservoir 104 through the overow passage 88. The warm water thustransmitted to the platen 64 will fiow around the upper sides of thecups 86, thereby thawing the outer surfaces of the ice cubes formedtherewithin and releasing such cubes from the platen 64, whereby thecubes will drop downwardly through the chute 60 and force the door 112open to permit the cubes to fall into the ice cube storage bin withinthe cabinet 12. The warm water which is conveyed to the cavity 70 willbe slowly released (during the harvest cycle and the initial part of thenext freezing cycle) through the dribble orifice 92, wherein such waterwill drop downwardly into the reservoir 104 to be used during thefreezing portion of the next successive cycle, the overfiow conduit 154assuring that the water level in the reservoir 104 will not rise above apreselected position.

After the harvest portion of the cycle has been completed, the valvemechanism 38 will be closed to prevent While it will be apparent thatthe preferred embodiment illustrated herein is well calculated tofulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that thepresent invention is susceptible to modification, variation and changewithout departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoinedclaims.

I claim:

1. In an icemaking apparatus, a form disposed in a substantiallyhorizontal position and defining a plurality of open bottomed icefreezing cells with closed tops, means positioned beneath the form anddirecting water to the open cells for forming ice therein, waterfreezing means associated with the cells, first enclosure means forretaining thawing water in heat transfer relation to said form, saidfirst enclosure means including a wall portion in surroundingrelationship with respect to said cells and extending to a heightapproximate said closed tops of said cells and adapted to retain apreselected quantity of thawing water around the exterior of said cells,second enclosure means defining a water reservoir, a source of thawingwater adapted to be communicated to said first enclosure means t0 effectrelease of ice on said form, means for transferring thawing Water fromsaid source thereof to said first enclosure means during a harvest modeof the operational cycle, and a substantially unobstructed dischargepassage for continuously discharging water from said first enclosuremeans to said reservoir regardless of the mode of the operational cycle,said passage being of a preselected size so as to communicate water tosaid reservoir at a controlled rate, whereby a preselected quantity ofwater can be communicated to said first enclosure means during saidharvest mode and be retained therein adjacent said form for a length oftime sufficient to release ice frozen therein, with said quantity ofwater being discharged from said enclosure means to said reservoir at arate sufficient to supply said water transferring means with water forthe next successive freezing mode.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first enclosuremeans is disposed above said reservoir and said orifice is formed in thelower side of said first enclosure means in substantialverticalalignment with said reservoir.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes water outletmeans and means defining a substantially unobstructed fiow of passagefrom said first enclosure means to said water outlet and including meansfor retaining a preselected quantity of water within said reservoir.

4. In an icemaking apparatus, a form disposed in a substantiallyhorizontal position and defining a plurality of open bottomed icefreezing cells with closed tops, means positioned beneath the form anddirecting water to the open cells for forming ice therein, waterfreezing means associated with the cells, first enclosure meansincluding cooperable bottom and side wall portions, said wall portionsextending upwardly to a height approximate said closed tops of saidcells and adapted to retain a preselected quantity of thawing wateraround the exterior of said cells, second enclosure means defining awater reservoir, a source of thawing water adapted to be communicated tosaid first enclosure means to effect release of ice on said form, wateroutlet means, operating means and said means positioned beneath saidform and including pumping means for transferring water from saidreservoir toward said form to produce a batch of ice during a freezingmode of the operational cycle, and means for transferring thawing waterfrom said source thereof to said first enclosure means during a harvestmode of the operational cycle, and means for controlling the water levelwithin said reservoir whereby a sufficient quantity of water isautomatically maintained therewithin to supply said pumping means withenough water to form ice during each successive freezing mode of theoperational cycle, said last mentioned means comprising a flow passagecommunicating water through said bottom Wall portion of said firstenclosure means, said passage being of a preselected size so as tocommunicate water to said reservoir at a controlled rate, whereby apreselected quantity of water can be communicated to said firstenclosure means during said harvest mode and be retained thereinadjacent said form for a length of time sufficient to release ice frozentherein, with said quantity of water being discharged from saidenclosure means to said reservoir at a rate sufficient to supply saidwater transferring means with water for the next successive freezingmode.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said last mentionedmeans comprises an overflow conduit, one end of which is communicablewith said reservoir and the other end of which is communicable with saidwater outlet means.

6. In an icemaking apparatus, a form disposed in a substantiallyhorizontal position and defining a plurality of open bottomed icefreezing cells with closed tops, means positioned beneath the form anddirectngwater to the open cells for forming ice therein, water freezingmeans associated with the cells, [first enclosure means for retainingthawing water adjacent said form, said rst enclosure means including awall portion disposed around the periphery of said form and extendingupwardly to a height approximate said closed tops of said cells andadapted to retain a preselected quantity of thawing water around theexterior of said cells, second enclosure means defining a waterreservoir, a source of thawing water adapted to be communicated to saidfirst enclosure means to effect release of ice on said form, wateroutlet means, means defining a substantially unobstructed ow passagefrom said irst enclosure means to said water outlet, .said passage beingof a preselected size so as to communicate water to said Vreservoir at acontrolled rate, whereby a preselected qua'ntity of water can becommunicated to said rst enclosure means during said harvest mode and beretained therein adjacent said form for a length of time sucient torelease ice frozen therein, with said quantity of water being dischargedfrom said enclosure means to said reservoir at a rate sucient to supplysaid water transferring means with water for the next successivefreezing mode.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first enclosuremeans is disposed above said reservoir and said orilce is formed in thelower side of said iirst enclosure mean in substantial verticalalignment with said reservoir.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said last mentionedmeans comprises an unobstructed passage communicating said Water outletwith said reservoir, said last mentioned means comprising an overflowconduit, one end of` which is communicable with said rservoir and theother end of which is communicable with said water outlet means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,729,070 1/ 1956 Ames 62--352X'2,891,387 6/ 1959 Cocanour 62f-348X 3,048,988 8/196-2 Nelson 62--3473,218,8244 11/1965 Nelson 62-348 WILLIAM E. WAYNER, Primary ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R. 62--349

